Law Day
Law Day 2012
Each year on May 1, the United States celebrates Law Day.
Originally proposed by the ABA, in 1958, President Dwight D.
Eisenhower proclaimed the first Law Day to strengthen our country's
heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. It was
made part of the U.S. Code as Public Law 87-20 on April 7, 1961.
The concept was to recognize the importance of the rule of law and
both its effect and structure in our country. Over the years, legal
and civic organizations nationwide have used these general ideas to
develop educational programs for the public.
The ABA annually creates a theme for Law Day. It's designed to
help educators and bar associations have a common purpose in their
efforts. The theme for 2012, "No Courts, No Justice, No
Freedom," provides the opportunity to highlight the role of the
nation's courts in our constitutional democracy and to foster
public understanding about the judiciary. The State Bar's events
for 2012 have to be determined.
Law Day 2011
In 2011, the State Bar, the Arizona Supreme Court, and the
Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education partnered to
sponsor Law Day 2011: Bringing iCivics to Life.
The state-wide event engaged students from more than 35 schools in
an in-class debate that was facilitated by more than 75 volunteers
from the legal profession, including members of the Bar.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (Ret.) and
Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Berch taught the lesson to
students from Desert Foothills Middle School in celebration of Law
Day 2011.
We invite you to view the Chief Justice Rebecca Berch's welcome
video that was shown throughout the day at each school site.
Click: Law Day Welcome
Email the State Bar's Law Day Coordinator for additional information.